Therapeutical device



Dec, 17, 1929.- E. WOLTERS 1,739,625

THERAPEUTICAL DEVICE Filed June 6. 1923 rPatented Dec. -17, 1929 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE EDGAR WOLTERS, OF HAMBURG, GERMANY THERAPEUTICALDEVICE Application mea :une s, 195s. serial No. 283,283.

These old methods are objectionable in that a cold liquid-isinsufficiently heat-absorbing because it can not\pass through a point offusion, as its temperature is raised, with consequent heat absorptionequivalent to the heat of fusion; crushed ice for filling a bag or icecap can not be readily obtained within the home and unless it is finelycrushed its uneven surfaces and edges cause bulges and projections inthe surface of the bag to'present a discomfortable and ineicient workingsurface; and when iceand water are used in the old type bags, continuousapplications necessitate frequent refilling with attendant annoyance andwet outer bag surfaces.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome thesedisadvantages.

More specifically, this invention contemplates the provision of acoolingappliance which may permanently contain a substance for effecting heattransfer; which may'be used continuously, without emptying andrefilling, by alternately removing the heat from the substance andapplying it to the aiiiicted part of the body; and which will not burstopen or become distorted when water is frozen therein.

Further objects will become apparent from a study of the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a plan view of the cooling device or container asinserted, ready for use, in a rubber envelope, the container being shownin dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Figs. 1-3represent the preferred form.

Fig. 3 is a vertical half-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a second vform of container, it

being a modification ofthe left hand portion of the sectioned containerof Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 discloses the modification of Fig. 4'

with the filling opening in closed position and with a spring clipapplied thereto.

Fig. 6 represents the projection of a portion of the surfaces and edgesof the'modiied form of container upon a vertical plane, as would be seenwhen looking in the direction of the arrows on line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a rubber envelope within whichthe container of the present invention may be inserted for use as atherapeutical device. This envelope is described and claimed per se inmy co`- pendin application, Serial Number 264,804, filed arch 26, 1928,'and as its construction is readily apparent it is not thought to benecessary to describe it in detail here. It suffices to state that it isan envelope having end tabs 11 which 'close the longitudinal passagetherethrough by being buttoned at 12 to the main body; having slots 18through which a holding strap may be passed; and having a plurality ofspaced studs 14 upon one surface thereof to prevent too rapid transferof heat. Envelope 10 isonly illustrative of a covering for the containeras any type of rubber bag, cloth covering, and the like, might be used.In fact, the container might be applied separately from any enclosingmember.

The container 15, made of metal, composition, or rubber, and in the formof a flask, may be shaped as desired and may be flat, or

curved to fit the shape of the body to which it .y

is to be applied. The space within the container is divided into anumber of compartments by intersecting cross members or walls 16 and 17.The compartments are in communication with each other through a set ofapertures 18 in walls 16 and a set of apertures 19 in walls 17. Theutility of this construction will later be explained.

Thevcontainer may be filled with water. water and chemicals, orchemicals only. If water is used, the container should be only partiallyfilled in order to prevent rupture thereof by the water when it freezesand expands into ice. For the same purpose, alcohol might be mixed withthe water so that,

/a freezing compartment is provided with trays for making cubes of ice.One of these trays may be withdrawn and the container of this inventioninserted in place thereof to quickly freeze the water or substancecontained therein.

A liquid which expands upon freezing is liable to distort the container,due to the fact that under ordinary conditions the solid'ificationstarts at the surface and progresses downwardly. The walls 16 and 17prevent this conditionby conducting the heat away with such rapiditythatall portions of the liquid solidify at substantially the same time.

In fact, the freezing starts at thev bottom and sides of eachcompartment and works quickly inwardly. i

If a curved container (as in Fig. 2) should be partially filled withwater and no interior compartments provided, the water would all run tothe ends of the container, freeze there, and burst the end walls. Theplurality of compartments. prevents this by segregating equal quantities.of water in uniform distribution over the curved bottom surface. Beforeplacing the container in the refrigerator it should be vigorously shakenin a horizontal plane, first-in the direction of its transverse axis andthen in the direction of its longitudinal axis, in order to cause theliquid to pass through apertures 18 and 19 for equal distribution in thevarious compartments.

It is unnecessary to empty and refill the container for each applicationor period of use thereof. It may be filled by the manufacturer or by theuser, and then permanently sealed in any suitable manner, for example,by a plug 20 (Fig. 2).

As an example of a chemical that can be satisfactorily utilized in placeof water or a mixture, benzene or benzole might be sealed Within thecontainer. Vhile the latent heat of fusion of benzole is not as high asthat of water, a much greater quantity of the liquid can be safely usedin the container.

Because of its melting point, approximately 42 F., it can be frozen byplacing the container in close surface Contact with ice or ice Water.V

This is particularly advantageous in that it can be used in homes whichhave no electrical or mechanical refrigeration installed.

lVhile the form shown in Fig. 2 may be made of metal, composition, orrubber, it is desirable, when employing a rubber container, to provideit with means for emptyin and airing it out to prevent deterioration angive it a longer life. The modification shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 isillustrative of one vform of such a rubber container. Except for theopening and closure means at one edge of the device, this modifiedconstruction is substantially identical with that shown in Fig. 2.4

No covering is necessary and, due to the fleXiy Several beads 22 areformed u on the inside of the container at one side o the hole and areadapted't'o nest, in closed position, between several beads'22 on the oposite inner wall. Endless beads can not used because when the rubber isfolded along vthe line L a leak-proof seal will not be formed. For thisreason the beads 22 and 22! terminate approximately at the line L. Abroad, strong clip, substantially U-shaped in cross section, is slippedover the edge of the container to engage the outer surfaces thereofadjacent the beading and thereby to pinch and expand the rubber beads ofeach set into the corresponding depressions between the beads of theopposite set. An effective,- liquid-tight seal is thus formed.

I wish it'to be understood that the draw- 1. A therapeutical device,comprising a I comparatively thin container adapted to contain a liquidto be frozen and a plurality of intersecting walls in said container,said walls having apertures therein at points spaced from one side ofthe container, thereby forming a plurality of communicating compartmentseach adapted to hold separately a quantity of the liquid.

2. A therapeutical device, comprising a thin container slightly curvedin cross section adapted tocontain a liquid to be frozen, and aplurality of intersecting walls in said container, said walls havingapertures therein at points spaced from the sides of the container, soas to form a plurality of communicating compartments each ada ted tohold separately a quantity of the liquid and to prevent theconcentration of the liquid in the lower parts of the container.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature.

, EDGAR WOLTERS.

